Flower stem and head support apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for extending the useful life of cut flowers and promoting a maximum bloom by supporting the head of the flower and preventing the head from drooping. Embodiments of the present invention include tubular structures for gripping the outer surface of the flower stem below the flower receptacle. A slot or slit is formed along the length of the tubular member. The slot widens to allow the stem to pass therethrough to the interior of the tubular member where the stem is snugly gripped. Also included is a cup-like structure adapted to hold and support the flower receptacle. The embodiments of the present invention may be economically fabricated and easily installed on cut flowers.

BACKGROUND

1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to apparatus used in thefloriculture industry. More particularly, the present invention relatesto devices used to support the stems and heads of cut flowers.

The floriculture industry, meaning the industry involved in thecultivating and marketing of flowers, is a multi-billion dollar industryworld-wide. In the United States alone, sales of roses has greatlyexceeded one-half billion dollars recently with projections showing thatone billion dollars in annual sales of roses will occur within theforeseeable future. With the addition of sales of flowers other thanroses, it will be appreciated that the floriculture industry is asignificant section of many economies of the world.

Cut flowers represent a large percentage of the total sales in thefloriculture industry. Many of the sales of cut flowers are throughretail florist establishments. In such establishments, a customer oftenpurchases a dozen carnations, roses, or other flowers which have beencut at some point near the bottom of the stem. The stem usually holds asingle flower head, most often in the form of a closed bud which willbloom within a day or so after purchase. After being cut and while stillat the florist establishment, cut flowers are generally kept underconditions as close as possible to the ideal conditions of cooltemperatures and ample moisture.

To the disappointment of the purchaser of cut flowers, for example adozen long stem roses, it is often the case that the flowers begin toexpire only a few days after leaving the retail floral establishment.Many customers' experience with an expensive bouquet of a dozen roseswilting and expiring within only a couple or a few days after thepurchase acts as a disincentive to the purchase of expensive flowersand, at a minimum, diminishes the customer's enjoyment of the beauty ofthe flowers.

Even though many techniques have been suggested for preserving flowerssuch as roses, and techniques have even been proposed for revivingwilted roses, the purchaser often is unaware, or is unwilling, to takesuch preserving or reviving measures. For example, properly trimming thestem, keeping the stem in water which includes a preservative mixture,and placing the cut flowers in a cool location away from exposure todirect sunlight, all help to maintain the beauty of cut flowers Still,in spite of all such measures, the heads of roses and other cut flowersoften droop or wilt shortly after being cut or leaving the retailflorist establishment.

The drooping or wilting of the flower head is both unsightly and hastensthe complete expiration of the flower. Once the stem bends at a pointsomewhere below the head, thus causing the head to droop, the passage ofwater up through the stem is blocked and the flower petals will shortlydiscolor and the flower will be discarded. Once a flower head hasdrooped, revival may be possible. If revival measures fail, anexperienced flower arranger might use a small gauge wire which is forceddown through the head of the flower into the first section of the stemto raise the head.

Unfortunately, placing a wire into the head and stem of a flower itselfhas a detrimental effect on the flower. Often the interaction of themetal wire and the botanical fluids will create acids which willdrastically shorten the useful life of a cut flower. Also, the insertionof a wire into the flower necessarily destroys part of the internalstructure of the flower and may restrict its ability to transport waterand nutrients to the flower head. Moreover, once a wire has beeninserted into the flower head, the head will seldom open into a fullbloom. Thus, the described measure has been generally limited for use asa revival measure and have not been utilized to preserve flowers such asroses.

Other efforts have also been made in the art to prevent, or revive,drooping flower heads. Such efforts include wires which are attached tothe exterior of the flower stem, sheets of stiff material which arewrapped around the flower stem, as well as some configuration of tubeswhich extend the length of the flower stem. Such past efforts have beenunacceptable due to, among other things, their ineffectiveness or theirunsightliness when installed on a flower.

Moreover, such efforts often result in support being placed too low onthe stem resulting in inadequate support of the flower head and theportion of the stem immediately below the head. With inadequate supportimmediately below the flower head, drooping occurs even with thepresence of a support device.

In view of the difficulty which has been experienced in the art, itwould be an advancement in the art to provide an apparatus which willextend the useful life of cut flowers. It would also be an advance inthe art to provide an apparatus which can be used to straighten droopedheads of flowers. It would be a still further advance in the art toprovide an apparatus to prevent drooping of flower heads which has nodetrimental effect on the flower and which may be efficiently applied toa flower whose head has not drooped.

It would be a further advance in the art to provide an apparatus forpreventing the drooping of flower heads which may be easily applied tothe flower and is economically used in view of the cost of the flower.It would also be an advance in the art to provide an apparatus toprevent the drooping of flower heads which does not detract from thebeauty of the flower when installed. It would be still another advancein the art to provide an apparatus which can be installed on cut flowersof many different species to extend the useful life of the flowers,prevent the flower heads from drooping, and promote the largest possiblebloom.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel apparatus for extending theuseful life of cut flowers and promoting a maximum bloom. Theembodiments of the present invention support the head of the flowerpreventing the head from drooping.

In accordance with the present invention, the bending of the stem in thearea anywhere within about 2 inches from the bottom of the flowerreceptacle is a most likely reason for premature expiration of wellcared for cut flowers. The bending of the stem, commonly referred to aswilting or drooping of the flower head, blocks the transportation ofwater and nutrients up the stem to the flower head causing prematurediscoloration, wilting, and dropping of petals.

Embodiments of the present invention include means for gripping theouter surface of the flower stem. Such structures may include tubular orcylindrical members or structures performing equivalent functions.Preferably, the means for gripping is flexible so that it canaccommodate a range of stem diameters. Elongated tubular members havinglengths and diameters to accommodate a range of stem sizes may functionas a means for gripping.

In order to facilitate placing the apparatus on the flower, means forforming an opening along the length of the tubular or cylindricalmembers is provided. The opening is preferable a slot or a slit. Thestructures providing the gripping function are preferably a flexiblematerial which allows the stem of the flower to be gripped firmly butgently so as to not cause any damage.

The apparatus is preferably fabricated from a flexible material so thatthe slot may be widened to allow the stem to be slipped through the slotand the apparatus installed. The cross sectional diameter of a tubularmember is desirably such that a variety of stems having a range ofdiameters may be snugly gripped therein.

Embodiments of the present invention may also include a means forreceiving and supporting the flower receptacle. In the describedembodiment the means for receiving and supporting the receptacle at thebase of a flower is a cup-like structure. The cup-like structure isadapted to hold the flower receptacle and preferably be expandable toallow different sizes of receptacles to be received therein. Thedescribed embodiment longitudinal slits which allow the structure toexpand.

The embodiments of the present invention may also include a means forstabilizing the structure on the stem. Various textures formed on thestem gripping surface protrude into the space occupied by the stem andfunction to stabilize the apparatus on the stem. Also, since theappearance of the apparatus has important aesthetic qualities, theapparatus may be transparent, translucent, or opaque, and may befabricated with or without the addition of color.

In view of the forgoing, it is a primary object of the present inventionto provide an apparatus to extend the useful life of cut flowers.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a floralapparatus to prevent the drooping of flower heads.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatusto straighten drooped heads of flowers.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for preventing the heads of cut flowers from drooping which iseasily applied to the flower and which is economical in view of the costof the flower.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus which can be installed on cut flowers of many differentspecies.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and theappended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a first presently preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a second presently preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a third presently preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a fourth presently preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the presentinvention installed on a cut flower prior to blooming.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the presentinvention installed on a cut flower which has bloomed.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present inventionbeing installed on a cut flower.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like parts aredesignated with like numerals throughout. It will be appreciated thatthe described embodiment has particular application with cut flowersbelonging to the genus Rosa and will be described using examples fromthat genus. Nevertheless, the present invention has application with cutflowers belonging to different genera as well as a variety of otherflowering plants.

Referring first to FIG. 1, an elevational view of a first presentlypreferred embodiment of the present invention is provided The principalstructures of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 are generallyindicated by brackets.

Generally indicated in FIG. 1 is a gripping member 10. The function ofthe gripping member 10 is to snugly grip the stem of the flower.

Gripping member 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is one example of a grippingmeans which may be included in the present invention. Gripping member 10comprises a generally cylindrical gripping member body 12 which issuitable for most applications of the present invention. The grippingmeans of the present invention, however, may comprise other body shapeswhich are generally tubular in nature. Furthermore, it is not necessarythat gripping member body 12 be symmetrically cylindrical or tubular butstructures of other shapes which perform the same or equivalentfunctions are also to be included within the scope of the gripping meansof the present invention.

Examples of additional shapes which gripping member 10 may assume aretubular shapes having cross-sectional forms which are rectangular,hexongonal, or triangular. Importantly, the gripping member must fit thestem of the flower to be able to support the weight of the flower headand to keep the flower head in its proper position.

It will be appreciated that equivalent structures may be used asalternatives to those illustrated herein. For example, gripping body 12may also comprise a plurality of apertures or only a frame-likestructure. Significantly, structures performing the same or equivalentfunctions to the illustrated structure are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the gripping means.

Also generally designated in FIG. 1 is receiving member 14 whichfunctions as the means for receiving and supporting a flower head in theillustrated embodiment. The receiving member in FIG. 1 comprises threereceiving member sections 16. The receiving member is adapted to receiveand support the receptacle of the flower. The receptacle of the floweris herein defined as that portion of the plant where the flower petalsare attached to the stem as will be illustrated shortly.

In the illustrated embodiment, receiving member 14 has a cup-like shapeinto which the flower receptacle, located at the base of the flowerhead, is received. The receiving member functions to support thereceptacle of the flower head and assists with keeping the flower headfrom drooping. It will be appreciated that structures other than thoseillustrated herein but performing the same or equivalent functions mayserve as a receiving means within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, both gripping member 10 and receiving member 14 areprovided with a slot, designated by bracket 20. Slot 20 allows the stemto be slid into the interior of gripping member 10 and receiving member12. Slot 12 is one example of a means for forming an opening along thelength of the tubular gripping member 12. Importantly, other structuresmay be utilized to perform the same or equivalent functions as slot 20.For example, embodiments of the present invention may incorporate aclamping or adhesive arrangement. The illustrated structures, however,are preferred for use with cut flowers such as roses.

Gripping member 10 and receiving member 12 are fabricated so that theyare resilient and slot 20 may be widened to allow passage of the flowerstem and, upon the stem resting within the interior of the grippingmember, gripping member 20 will snugly grip the stem placed therein.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, slits 18 are formed between receivingmember sections 16 allow the receiving member to expand. As a flower,such as a rose, blooms the receptacle of the flower will expand. Slits18 allow the receiving member 14 to commensurately expand with theflower receptacle and continue to provide support for the flower head.Gripping member 10 also is capable of expanding to accommodate thechanging diameter of a stem as the stem swells and shrinks.

Gripping member body 12 is preferably fabricated from a polymer materialwhich allows the illustrated structure to resist bending along itslength but allows the embodiment to be resiliently flexible about itscircumference so that slot 20 may be widened for passage of the stemtherethrough but, upon placing the stem within the gripping member, theinner surface of the gripping member grips the stem.

The embodiments illustrated in the figures may be fabricated usingpolymer materials and injection molding techniques known to thoseskilled in such arts. Since it is important that the appearance of theembodiments not detract from the beauty of the flower the apparatus isattached to, the color or lack of color of the finished apparatus ischosen to make the embodiment least noticeable. For example, in somecases it may be best to use polymer materials which will render theembodiments transparent or translucent. In other cases, it may be bestto use dyes which will color the embodiments green or some other color.

Due to the structure and material used in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 and 2, a particular embodiment of the present invention canaccommodate flowers of several different species and/or sizes.Generally, it is desirable that the length of gripping member 10 andreceiving member 14, in combination, be at least one inch. However, thislength may be greater or shorter according to the needs of theparticular application.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. Whilethe inner diameters of gripping member 10 and receiving member 14 mayvary according to the particular application of the embodiment, theinner diameter of the gripping member, designated at D₁, preferably maybe in the range from about 0.04 inches to about 0.4 inches. The innerdiameter of receiving member 14, designated at D₂, preferably may be inthe range from about 0.08 inches to about 0.8 inches.

Illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 are second, third, and fourth presentlypreferred embodiments, respectively, of the present invention. Each ofthe embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 includes a treatment on theinner surface of gripping members 10 and/or receiving members 14. Thetreatment on these inner surfaces are examples of structures capable offunctioning as a means for stabilizing the gripping member on the flowerstem.

It will be appreciated that the stems of cut flowers are often smoothand in many cases slippery. By forming a friction enhancing surface onthe inner diameter of gripping member 10 and/or receiving member 14these structures will remain in their proper places and better performtheir functions.

The second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 3 issubstantially similar to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 withthe addition of a "fish scale" texture 22 on the interior of grippingmember 10. The nature of the fish scale texture is that it allowsgripping member 10 to be easily slid up the flower stem but will resistsliding down the flower stem thus stabilizing the gripping member on thestem.

The third embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 4 issubstantially similar to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 withthe addition of a plurality of annular rings 24 on the interior ofgripping member 10. Annular rings 24 protrude inwardly toward the centerof the gripping member and serve to stabilize the gripping member on thestem.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 5includes a raised knurled surface on the inner circumferences ofgripping member 10 and receiving member 14. The raised knurled surface26 on gripping member 10 helps to stabilize the gripping member inposition on the stem. The raised knurled surface 26 on receiving member14 provides better gripping of the flower receptacle. As the receptaclethe base of the flowers expands, the tissues of the receptacle willengage the raised knurled texture thus providing better support for theflower head as it blooms.

The fourth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 also includes grippingmember 10 which has a slight taper. The taper of the gripping member issuch that the inner circumference of the gripping member is less at thelower end than at the end where the receiving member is attached. Thetapered gripping member may be incorporated into embodiments where itwill assist in holding the gripping member in position on the stem.

Represented in FIGS. 6 and 7 is a cross-sectional view of a flower headand stem (belonging to the genus Rosa) with an embodiment of the presentinvention installed thereon. In FIG. 6, the gripping member body 12 isshown installed on a stem, designated S, while the receptacle of theflower, designated R, is resting within the cup-like shape formed byreceiving member sections 16.

In FIG. 7, the flower head has bloomed and the expansion of receptacle Rand the corresponding flexing of receiving member sections 16 can alsobe seen. Gripping member body 12 continues to grip stem S and providessupport for the stem and flower head as blooming occurs. With the stemand head properly supported, water and nutrients are able to betransported up the stem to the head thus promoting the largest possiblebloom and maximum useful life of the flower.

Provided in FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a flower head and stem shownin phantom image and an embodiment of the present invention beinginstalled thereon. As can be seen in FIG. 8, slot 20 expands to allowstem S to pass therethrough. Receptacle R is received into the cup-likeshape formed by receiving member sections 16 which flex to accommodatereceptacle R. After the stem and receptacle has been placed in theappropriate structures the embodiment snugly grips the stem and supportsthe receptacle.

Use of the present invention dramatically improves the useful life ofcut flowers. When used with some species of roses, the useful life ofthe cut flowers generally doubles from usually less than two weekswithout the use of embodiments of the present invention to nearly amonth with the use of the present invention and proper care of theflowers. Moreover, use of the present invention promotes the maximumpossible size blooms from the flower. Significantly, the presentinvention provides advantages not heretofore available in the artwithout unduly detracting from the appearance of the flower.

Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may be used to extendthe useful life of cut flowers by preventing the drooping, orstraightening already drooped, heads of flowers. Moreover, embodimentsof the present invention may be easily and quickly installed and singleembodiments of the present invention may be used with a variety ofdifferent species and sizes of flowers. Still further, embodiments ofthe present invention may be fabricated inexpensively enough compared tothe cost of the flowers so as to be considered disposable.

It will be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention arecapable of being incorporated in the form of a variety of embodiments,only a few of which have been illustrated and described above. Theinvention may thus be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodimentsare to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and notrestrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changeswhich come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims areto be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:
 1. An apparatus for supporting the stem of a flowercomprising:an elongated tubular member dimensional such that the stem ofa flower fits longitudinally within the elongated tubular member, theelongated tubular member having a first end; means for forming anopening along the longitudinal length of the elongated tubular member,the opening allowing the cross-sectional area of the elongated tubularmember to be increased to accommodate placing the stem through theopening to the interior surface of the elongated tubular member and suchthat at least a portion of the stem is snugly gripped by the elongatedtubular member once placed therein, the elongated tubular member adaptedfor supporting the stem adjacent to the flower head; and a flaredportion provided at the first end of the elongated tubular member forreceiving the flower calyx.
 2. An apparatus for supporting the stem of aflower as defined in claim 1 wherein the elongated tubular membercomprises a substantially cylindrical member.
 3. An apparatus forsupporting the stem of a flower as defined in claim 1 wherein the flaredportion is provided with at least one longitudinal slot.
 4. An apparatusfor supporting the stem of a flower as defined in claim 1 wherein themeans for forming an opening comprises a slot formed along the length ofthe elongated tubular member.
 5. An apparatus for supporting the stem ofa flower as defined in claim 4 wherein the slot extends the entirelength of the elongated tubular member.
 6. An apparatus for supportingthe stem of a flower as defined in claim 4 wherein the width of thelongitudinal slot, prior t being flexibly expanded, is at least 10percent of the external perimeter of the elongated tubular member.
 7. Anapparatus for supporting the stem of a flower as defined in claim 1wherein the elongated tubular member comprises a polymeric material. 8.An apparatus for supporting the stem of a flower as defined in claim 7wherein the polymeric material is translucent.
 9. An apparatus forsupporting the stem of a flower as defined in claim 7 wherein thepolymeric material is green in color.
 10. An apparatus for supportingthe stem of a flower as defined in claim 1 wherein the interiorperimeter of the elongated tubular member comprises means forstabilizing the elongated tubular member on the stem.
 11. An apparatusfor supporting the stem of a flower as defined in claim 10 wherein themeans for stabilizing comprises at least one protrusion formed on theinner surface of the elongated tubular member projecting inwardly intothe space occupied by the flower stem.
 12. An apparatus for supportingthe stem of a flower as defined in claim 1 wherein the elongated tubularmember is at least one inch long.
 13. An apparatus for supporting thestem of a flower as defined in claim 1 wherein the inner cross-sectionaldiameter of the elongated tubular member is in the range from about 0.04to about 0.4 of an inch.
 14. An apparatus for supporting the stem of aflower as defined in claim 1 wherein the flower comprises a rose.
 15. Anapparatus for supporting the stem of a flower as defined in claim 1,wherein the flared portion comprises a plurality of longitudinal slitsallowing the flared portion to expand.
 16. An apparatus for supportingthe stem of a flower as defined in claim 1 wherein the flower is amember of the genus Rosa.
 17. A support for the stem of a floweringplant comprising:a) a substantially cylindrical member with first andsecond and having an inner diameter in the range from about 0.04 inchesto about 0.4 inches and an outer diameter the length of the cylindricalmember being at least five times as great as its inner diameter; b) aslot formed along the entire length of the cylindrical member, the slotadapted for allowing a stem to pass therethrough, the cylindrical memberbeing fabricated from a material allowing the width of the slot to beincreased to allow the passage of stems having diameters greater thanthe width of the slot and such that the inner circumference of thecylindrical member will grip at least a portion of the circumference ofthe stem after the stem has been placed within the inner circumference;and c) a cup-shaped receiving member positioned at the first end of thecylindrical member, the receiving member having a plurality oflongitudinal slits, one of said slits joining with the slot, thereceiving member being adapted for receiving the calyx, the cylindricalmember, and the receiving member cooperating to support the stemimmediately below the flower head and to prevent the flower head fromdrooping.
 18. A support for the stem of a flowering plant as defined inclaim 17 wherein the interior perimeter of the cylindrical membercomprises means for stabilizing the cylindrical member in position onthe stem.
 19. A support for the stem of a flowering plant as defined inclaim 18 wherein the means for stabilizing comprises at least oneprotrusion extending from the inner circumference of the cylindricalmember inwardly into the space occupied by the flower stem.
 20. Anapparatus for supporting the stem of a flower as defined in claim 17wherein the cylindrical member comprises a polymeric material.
 21. Anapparatus for supporting the stem of a flower as defined in claim 20wherein the polymeric material is translucent.
 22. An apparatus forsupporting the stem of a flower as defined in claim 20 wherein apparatusis green.